398th Bomb Group
Memorial
Association


Captain Alan A. Arlin's Diary

Arlin Mission No. 2

May 20, 1944
Target: Repair Depot, Villocoublay Airfield, Paris, France

Arlin Mission No. 2
Date - May 20, 1944
Assigned Target - Repair Depot, Villocoublay Airfield, Paris, France
Targets Attacked - As briefed
Results - Good
Aircraft Number - 7132-V
Bomb Load - 42- 100 lb. Incendiary
Position in formation - Deputy Group Lead, Lead of High Sqdn, High Group
Time - 6 hrs.
Altitude over Target - 21,000 ft.
Casualties - None
Damage - Flak holes behind Co-Pilot's seat. Minor.
Losses - None

Loading list
C.A. - Capt. Petersen, Tracy J.
Pilot - 1st Lt. Arlin, Alan A.
Bomb. - 1st Lt. Baxter, Morris V.
Nav. - 1st Lt. Kravif, Harry
Nav. - 2nd Lt. Walkup, Charles A.
Eng. - T/Sgt. Chmielewski, Raymond J.
Radio - T/Sgt. Buchsbaum, Louis
Gun. - Pvt. McCort, Joseph J.
Gun. - S/Sgt. Wilson, William C.
Gun. - Pvtt. Carter, Charlie M.
Gun. - Pvt. Hoffman, Arnold W.

Arlin Mission No. 2
Date - May 20, 1944

We were briefed this morning for Paris. Yesterday it was Berlin , Germany's capital, today it is France's capital. And tomorrow I'm going to London on pass to make it three capitals in three days.

We were flying and deputy Group Lead today so Captain Pete flew with us as C.A. [Commander of Aircraft]. Hal flew as an observer in the lead one with Colonel Hunter

The whole routine today was the same as yesterday. The briefing, takeoff, assembly and trip across the channel were not much different.

We crossed the enemy coast just north of the Caen at 20,000 ft. that headed east towards Paris. As before we were greeted at the coast by a few flak bursts. From time to time to all the way in we kept running into flak but it was usually quite inaccurate and never very busy. We had a P-51s and P-47s for escort but there wasn't much for them to do as Jerry's did show up to give us any trouble, so on the way back the left us and drop down to do some strafing.

The target was wide open and visibility was exceptionally good. Levy was the lead Bombardier in Colonel Hunter's ship, and he made a good strike and the formation laid down a pretty good pattern of bombs on the target. The flak over the target was moderate to light and inaccurate, it was nothing like we hit yesterday over Berlin. The gunners managed to get a few bursts in our formation but they didn't do much damage.

Turning away from the target we were soon hoped of the flak and then took time to take a second look at Paris before heading home. The return trip was the same as going in, internment like flak and a few parting shots at the coast.

Pete had a good scare in store for him when we got out of the ship and it looked it over for damage. The only hole we had was a hole about 2 inches square that went through the side of the ship about 6 inches behind his seat.

This is the kind of mission I would like to have a lot of. Not too long in the air, not too long on oxygen, not too much flak and no fighters.

Notes:
  • First Lieutenant Alan A. Arlin of the 601st Squadron was the pilot of Rapid City original crew No. 31. On many of his missions, 1st Lieutenant and later Captain Alan A. Arlin was a lead pilot for his squadron or for the group.
  • The above transcription was provided by Dave Jordan.
  • This transcription is a careful reproduction of the original except for occasional spelling and punctuation changes. In some circumstances, based on relevancy, some material may not have been transcribed.
  • Clarification of acronyms or special words or guesses of certain words are shown in brackets [ ].

The above diary entry has been placed on the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association web site to share our history with a wider audience. You may view, download, print, copy and link to our content as you wish as long as the uses are personal or educational. 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association web page content cannot be used for commercial purposes nor placed on other web sites whether commercial, personal or educational, unless authorized in writing by the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association Official Board and/or the author.